MIRRORING GOD’S HEART IN DEMONSTRATING PASSION FOR THE LOST

OCTOBER 11, 2024

TEXT: For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

If we read the above Bible text from the beginning, we see the intriguing story of a man named Zacchaeus, whom the Bible describes as a publican or tax collector. One peculiar attribute of these individuals was corruption and dishonesty in their taxation methods. He was a person deeply entrenched in sin. However, on the day Jesus passed by his location, Zacchaeus encountered salvation, and Jesus even went as far as entering his house to commune and relax with him, much to the chagrin and indignation of the Pharisees, who believed that Jesus should not mingle with ordinary sinners. However, Jesus opened their eyes to the fact that God is more interested in sinners repenting, as only the sick need doctors, not the healthy.

Our God is a loving Father who will go to great lengths to ensure His people are rescued from sin. He is not interested in anyone perishing, and nothing epitomizes this fact more than the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, where the father welcomed the son with great fanfare despite his tarnished image and squandered resources on an extravagant lifestyle. We are called to similarly share God’s passion for the lost soul. It is expected that we develop a heart for the lost, just as God does.

BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF GOD’S LOVE IN REACHING OUT TO THE LOST

The Samaritan Woman: She was living a life of perpetual sin, having been married to five different husbands. However, Jesus Christ did not condemn her; instead, He lovingly won her into the kingdom (John 4).
The People of Nineveh: God sent Jonah to warn them about their grievous lifestyle. Thankfully, they showed repentance, and God promptly forgave them.
The Thief on the Cross: This man had probably spent his entire life killing and causing others to weep. However, at the last minute of his life, grace found him, and God’s love spoke for him, thereby earning him an automatic ticket to paradise (Luke 23:42-43).
The Woman Caught in Adultery: John 8:3 God’s mercy showed up for this woman. The Pharisees brought her to Jesus, expecting Him to condemn her. However, out of love, Jesus gave her another chance to go and sin no more.

SEARCHLIGHT: God does not desire that anyone should perish. He is desirous of bringing sinners back to Himself. No matter how grievous the sin may be, He always anticipates that they can be won back into the kingdom.

PRAYER: O Lord, let me never fall off from Your love, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE READING: Jeremiah 51-53, Matthew 13

PST. MICHAEL OMOLE